Sweet Santa Fe plays 1st Tuesday Fundraiser for YANA

Enjoy the sounds of Sweet Santa Fe, featured guests of the 1st Tuesday Fundraiser on Nov. 1 at the Mex Pub.

Raising money for the local charity You Are Not Alone, the concert is by donation and features the blended talents of Michel Rivero and Christine Baxter, a delightful new duo on the Comox Valley music scene.

Rivero and Baxter met and fell in love under the Cuban sun, and soon after began writing using music that drew on their Cuban and Canadian influences. They blend interesting melody lines and beautiful harmonies, Spanish guitar and Cuban rhythms. Baxter started singing as a part of her family quartet at the age of five. Over the years she has performed as a back-up singer and as a solo artist, and now continues to enjoy performing with her husband Michel. She also enjoys singing with choirs and travelling to learn different musical cultures.

As a new resident to Canada, Rivero is looking forward to sharing his Cuban roots and music. He is a well-established performer in Cuba, and has played with a wide range of Cuban musicians. As a guitar and percussion instructor, Rivero loves sharing his passion for music, and will continue teaching and performing in his new home in Comox.

Each month, the concert series pairs performers with their favourite charities, and this month, Sweet Santa Fe has selected YANA to receive the proceeds. YANA was founded in 1986 and ensures that families in the Comox Valley are not alone when dealing with medical issues for their children and believes that when a child is ill the whole family requires care. YANA provides financial support so families can stay focused on the health and wellness of their child.

The organization maintains four apartments in Vancouver that provide accommodation within walking distance of Children’s Hospital and also helps families to fund accommodations in other treatment destinations. It also provides a daily, weekly or monthly allotment of funds that help to cover the costs of travel, meals, and other expenses. St. Joseph’s Hospital also receives funds from YANA to assist Comox Valley families or an expecting mother who requires emergency transfer to another hospital. For more information about YANA services visit the website at www.yanacomoxvalley.com.

The evening at the Mex Pub begins at 7:30, with an opening set by organizers Judy and Bruce Wing, accompanied by special guests Blaine Dunaway on the violin and Steve Ruskin on keyboard. A few collaborative numbers with all the musicians will also be part of the evening entertainment.

For more information about 1st Tuesday events, visit Facebook.com/1stTuesdayFundraisers.